Basmati Rice Recipe

As more and more people are visiting India or the Indian restaurants, the "spice of India" is becoming very popular. Not only famous for Taj Mahal, India is recognized for its versatile use of herbs and spices for cooking too. One of the more popular food is incorporating basmati rice with different dishes. In Hindi, basmati literally means "queen of fragrance". It has a sweet smell upon cooking it and is served with many North Indian meals. Now there are many aromatic types of rice, such as Wehani rice, Texmati rice, basmati rice, and jasmine rice. Some of you may be confused about the specifics of how to cook basmati rice. Although it's a bit complex, tossing a five-minute box rice available in supermarkets, it becomes easier with practice. So let's go over the cooking instructions and other variety of recipes.

Cook Basmati Rice

Once cooked properly and according to the directions given below, you can make flavored or plain basmati rice recipes at home. Here are the cooking instructions, in order to make fluffy, light, and fresh rice.

• Unlike other rice, basmati holds more starch. So you have to rinse the rice with cold water 3 - 4 times.
• After rinsing the rice till the water is no longer cloudy, measure 2 parts water to 1 part rice.
• Let's say you're cooking 1 cup dry rice, then take 2 cups of water. This way you will end up with 3 cups of cooked rice.
• Pour water and rice in the rice cooker, place the lid, and cook over medium heat.
• Don't open the rice cooker while the rice is being cooked. After 20 - 30 minutes, the water should have been absorbed by the rice.
• Let the rice stand for 15 minutes in the cooker. After 15 minutes, remove the cover and use a fork to fluff the rice.

Recipes on Indian Basmati Rice

Following are some easy recipes which can be combined with many ethnic cuisines. Make sure you add exact amount of water or stock to the recipes mentioned below as you want to make the rice fluffy, not sticky. Let's take your first step in preparing delicious Indian food.

Brown Basmati Rice
Ingredients

• ½ cup chopped green onion
• ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1 cup brown basmati rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 to 4 tablespoons dry white wine
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Directions

Take a medium pan and keep it over medium-low heat. Add butter and olive oil in the pan, and once the butter melts (not burns), mix in the mushrooms. Sauté the mushrooms for 3 - 5 minutes till they turn tender. Now add green onions and cook them for about a minute. Next mix in the brown rice (rinsed and drained) and mix everything properly. Pour the chicken broth (or water), salt, and thyme in the pan. Bring the ingredients to a boil, reduce the heat and place a lid over the pan to let the rice cook. Occasionally check and stir the rice, so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Add more broth or salt as needed. Once the rice is cooked properly, add the toasted pecans and drizzle ground black pepper. Mix again and serve your dish warm.

Basmati Rice Pilaf with Apricots
Ingredients

• 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup unsalted pistachios or cashews, toasted
• 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 wide strips lemon zest
• 2 cups cold water
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Directions

In a bowl, fill 2 cups of cold water and put apricots and lemon zest in it. Take a medium pan, add butter and melt it (not burn). Place garam masala, stir in the melted butter, and add diced onion and ¼ teaspoon salt in it. Stir occasionally till the onion is tender and translucent. Now add the rice (rinsed and drained) and stir for about a minute. Next, add water to the pan, along with the apricots and lemon zest. Mix in 1 teaspoon salt and little black pepper. Bring the ingredients to a boil, place a lid and cook the rice. Occasionally check and stir the rice, so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Once the rice is cooked properly, let it sit for about 15 minutes. Open the cover, take a fork to fluff the rice, and serve the rice in a bowl. Tear the mint on top of the rice and sprinkle some toasted nuts on top, if desired.

Basmati rice just doesn't taste delicious, but it also has many nutritious benefits. So the article gave you instructions on how to cook the rice and make delicious recipes. Prepare these recipes whenever you feel like indulging in Indian cuisine or simply serve with your favorite recipes to bring out some creative additions to any meal.